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Itinerary · 3 days

Washington, D.C.: Government and national memory

See where Congress meets and where the founding documents are kept, walk the memorials on the National Mall, and spend a day in free Smithsonian museums.

Themes: Government, Founding documents, Remembrance, Museums

All itineraries

Suggested itinerary. These are suggestions to adapt, not schedules. Time at each stop is our estimate. Distances are straight-line only — check a maps service for real routes and travel times, and the operator's website for hours and tickets.

Day by day

  1. Day 1: How the government works

    1. U.S. Capitol

      Allow: 2–3 hours including the Visitor Center (our estimate)

    2. National Archives Museum

      Allow: 1–2 hours (our estimate) · About less than 1 mile from the previous stop (straight-line)

  2. Day 2: Memorials on the National Mall

    These memorials are a long walk apart; wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

    1. Washington Monument

      Allow: 1–2 hours, plus time outdoors on the Mall (our estimate)

    2. National World War II Memorial

      Allow: About 1 hour (our estimate) · About less than 1 mile from the previous stop (straight-line)

    3. Lincoln Memorial

      Allow: About 1 hour (our estimate) · About less than 1 mile from the previous stop (straight-line)

    4. Vietnam Veterans Memorial

      Allow: About 1 hour (our estimate) · About less than 1 mile from the previous stop (straight-line)

  3. Day 3: Museums and remembrance

    Pick two or three — each museum can easily fill half a day.

    1. National Museum of American History

      Allow: 2–4 hours (our estimate)

    2. National Museum of the American Indian

      Allow: 2–3 hours (our estimate) · About less than 1 mile from the previous stop (straight-line)

    3. National Air and Space Museum

      Allow: 2–3 hours (our estimate) · About less than 1 mile from the previous stop (straight-line)

    4. Arlington National Cemetery

      Allow: 2–4 hours (our estimate) · About 2.9 miles from the previous stop (straight-line)

Reserve or check ahead

  • Capitol tours: reservations recommended.
  • Washington Monument: timed tickets required to go inside.
  • Smithsonian museums: admission is free, but some may require free timed-entry passes.
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center (visitthecapitol.gov)(opens visitthecapitol.gov in a new tab)Smithsonian: Plan your visit(opens si.edu in a new tab)Recreation.gov(opens recreation.gov in a new tab)

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